ISLAND DREAMS: Governors Island reopened to the public on July 15. Photo by Julienne Schaer/Governors Island Trust
COURIER LIFE, JULY 17-23, 2020 33
OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BOROUGH OF KINGS
BY KEVIN DUGGAN
Governors Island reopened to the
public on July 15, with the weekend
ferry service from Brooklyn Bridge
Park’s Pier 6 moving to Red Hook for
this year’s season, according to the
stewards of the island.
The isle off the coast of Red Hook
will be open daily with ferry rides
from Manhattan and crossings from
Red Hook’s Atlantic Basin on weekends.
The fi rst Brooklyn ferry headed
for island will launch on Saturday,
July 18.
The boat rides will now be free for
the city’s public housing residents, and
the head of the park hopes the offer —
along with moving the route from ritzy
Brooklyn Heights to Red Hook — will
provide better access to open space for
lower-income communities amid the
COVID-19 outbreak.
“This summer, Governors Island
will be an affordable, local getaway for
New Yorkers who need it most,” said
Clare Newman, president and chief
executive offi cer of the Trust for Governors
Island, in a statement. “We’ve
focused on a plan to make the Island
more accessible to New Yorkers in areas
underserved by parks this season,
and have taken important steps to esure
ESCAPE
the health and safety of our visitors.
We look forward to seeing everyone
on the ferry!”
The Trust — a nonprofi t corporation
created by the city to transform
the 172-acre former military base into
a sprawling park — has implemented
several new measures so that people
can stay socially distant and healthy
on the ferry and the island.
There’s a limited number of tickets
available per person for each time
slot on the ferry, which are now available
for sale online. Visitors have to
wear face coverings while on the boat
and the island itself will only offer
so-called passive recreation, such as
walking, running, biking, hiking, and
birding.
Permits for outdoor events and
sports fi eld use is postponed until at
least August 1, while indoor public
programs are suspended until August
31, according to the Trust. The island’s
National Monument, including Fort
Jay and Castle Williams, will also remain
closed until further notice.
Several of the eateries and food
vendors will be open — while adhering
to governmental food service
safety guidelines to stem the spread of
the coronavirus – so visitors can grab
some seafood or a cocktail at Island
Oyster, Korean barbecue at a Kimchi
Taco food truck, or a craft beer by
Threes Brewing, among other dining
options.
The ferry fare for adults is $3 round
trip, but tickets remain free for kids
12-years-old or younger, seniors 65
or older, and for all visitors who take
morning ferries before noon on weekends.
Visitors can bring their own bicycle
on board for free at all times.
Oasis
calls
Governors Island
to reopen with
ferries from Hook
Governors Island ferry opens daily on
July 15 in Manhattan and on weekends
starting July 18 from Atlantic Basin in
Red Hook. The Island is open 10 am-6
pm on weekdays, 10 am-7 pm on weekends.
Ferry tickets $3 roundtrip. Tickets
available at www.govisland.com.
/www.govisland.com
/www.govisland.com
